Without giving it much thought, Nick, having received the latest intelligence on the Nine Realms from Luke, felt the pressure on his shoulders grow even heavier. Before, he only had to worry about the safety of this planet, but now? He had to worry about the situation in other regions beyond Earth. Even more frustrating, he had no influence over the situation beyond Earth.
According to Luke, the Dark Elves' goal is to plunge the Nine Realms back into eternal darkness. Nick doesn't know what kind of darkness this is, but he knows for sure that it's not a good thing for humanity!
Whether viewed from a threat perspective or from the perspective of mutual interests and relationships, Asgard remains their unquestioned and steadfast ally. Nico can only pray that God King Odin and Thor can resolve the dreaded Dark Elf Alliance. Otherwise, if Asgard falls, Midgard will inevitably become a battlefield. If that worst-case scenario were to occur, it would be more than just a Chitauri invasion.
Nick's mind was swirling, the good mood he'd built up since leaving Osborn completely gone. He also needed to consider whether to take this opportunity to formulate some rules for trading in extraordinary equipment. While it was unclear whether Luke's words, "What Osborn and the others do, why should we, Heberon, care?" were meant as a gesture of agreement or sarcasm, they certainly spoke of a possible, perhaps inevitable, future reality.
We shouldn't expect too much from merchants like Osborne. As long as there's profit, as long as there are no restrictions, they'd be willing to brazenly sell those extraordinary equipment. As for the bigger picture, they probably don't think that far ahead.
Even with the restrictions, Nick couldn't guarantee that no one would violate them privately. He could only hope that the Dark Elves truly despised the Midgard and deemed it unworthy of their courtship.
But to be prepared, Nick needed to not only plug loopholes but also prepare for the worst-case scenario. That was the possibility that the war would eventually spread to the atrium. This put their time very tight. The previous plan would not only need to be completely rebuilt, but also its focus would need to be restructured.
At the very least, they needed to boost their overall strength during this precious time. Heybollen's Hell series equipment and giants like Osborne Industries' extraordinary equipment all needed to place some orders.
Isn't it just a loan?
loan!
Nick had made up his mind. Whether he could repay the loan or not was a matter for the future. If everything remained peaceful in the future, then naturally, everything would be fine. If some catastrophic event truly struck in the future, leading to the annihilation of the Atrium, or him and SHIELD, then perfect, whoever wanted to borrow the money would be fine.
…
Stark Tower.
Stark Laboratory.
"I knew I was a genius!" Tony Stark looked at the tube of emerald liquid in his hand with great interest, his eyes full of intoxication.
"Cough cough!" Bruce Banner next to him couldn't stand it anymore and coughed twice to show his presence.
"Okay, okay, you, Doctor, are also a genius." Tony, whose intoxicated mood was interrupted, glanced at Dr. Banner beside him and generously divided some of the honor among himself.
"This is crazy! You know, when you proposed that idea, I thought you were joking." Dr. Banner was also filled with joy. For researchers like them, seeing a certain idea being researched and manufactured is even more surprising! Especially when a result that is almost a fantasy with current technology is realized under their hands, the sense of accomplishment is doubled!
"I never joke about research." Tony raised his head slightly. He didn't care about other people's praise, but he did care about the positive comments from geniuses like Luke and Banner who were comparable to him.
"Now it's time to test it. What are your plans?" Dr. Banner didn't mind Tony's arrogance and complacency. After so long in Stark Tower, he was used to Tony's personality. He might have been a little uncomfortable at first, even a little dissatisfied with Tony's arrogance and sharp tongue, but after becoming friends, Tony's sharp tongue was restrained and no longer annoying. At least not to Banner, the master of emotional control.
"The next step? Personal experiment, of course." Tony answered as a matter of course.
"Wait a minute, personal experiment?" Dr. Banner was a little surprised. He made a famous hand gesture and said in a shocked tone: "You mean, you injected it into your own body and experimented?"
"What else? Do I have to inject it into your body, Doctor? There is already a Hulk in your body." Tony asked back.
"I think you should be more cautious. Believe me, if something unexpected happens, you will be trapped in a long period of regret in the future. Just like I used to be." Dr. Banner used his own experience to remind Tony to be cautious.
"We've been very careful. It's a joint creation of our two top minds. 70/30, I'll take 70 and you'll take 30. We've already perfected it. I don't think we can improve it anytime soon." Tony shook his head. He was now thinking like he was researching and manufacturing the Mark I and II. He was doing the entire process himself, trusting only himself, believing that only those he had personally adjusted and calibrated were the best for him.
"Where's Luke? How about letting him come and take a look? Maybe he can give us some advice that we didn't expect." Seeing that he couldn't change Tony's mind, Dr. Banner pulled Luke out and suggested while thinking.
"Luke?" Tony hesitated, then slowly shook his head. "He'll know, but not now! I'd rather just show him the finished product."
"Have you really decided?" Banner was a little troubled by Tony's stubbornness.
"Don't worry, buddy. Trust in our technological brilliance!" Tony smiled confidently. "We don't have many resources left. We've already wasted a lot on previous research. The remaining resources aren't enough to produce another one. Besides, it's been through the Data Dimension's calculations. At least it's qualified. Gold or higher, the quality is extremely high, isn't it? According to the Data Dimension's evaluation standards, although this level of quality may still have flaws, its effect is real.
Do you remember? We've already conducted a virtual test within Data Dimension. Following the steps with the highest success rate calculated by Data Dimension, that test was a complete success! Based on our understanding of Data Dimension, if the virtual test works, then replicating the same steps will likely also work in a real-world test. So, this groundless worry is completely unnecessary. We must trust the reliability of Data Dimension and our own technology.
"Okay, I can't persuade you. Just make sure you're not making this decision on impulse." Dr. Banner spread his hands helplessly, stopped trying to persuade him, and began to check the process recorded by Jarvis with Tony again.
After comparing and checking the data from Jarvis and the Data Dimension, Tony found no abnormalities or omissions. He raised his eyebrows at Dr. Banner again and said complacently, "See, I knew it would be okay."
"Jarvis, prepare the injection procedure." Tony instructed Jarvis.
Tony then took his own initiative and walked over to a metal chair in the lab. After he sat down, two robotic arms reached out and carefully fastened restraints to his limbs. Emergency life support systems were also activated. Under Tony's eloquent commands, Jarvis' numerous robotic arms moved back and forth between the lab table and Tony's chair, carrying various equipment.
In the end, Tony replicated every step of the virtual test in his mind. After every preparation, only the final and most critical step that directly determines success or failure remained.
"Come on, let's inject ten milliliters first." Tony opened his mouth, and a robotic arm carefully inserted a resilient mouthpiece. Another robotic arm picked up the syringe containing the emerald liquid and gently pierced the skin of Tony's right arm.
A ten milliliter dose is administered.
Dr. Banner, not far away, clenched his fists and stared at Tony's direction. He also believed that the probability of failure of this experiment was extremely small, but knowing this didn't stop him from being nervous for Tony.
According to Tony's pre-set procedure, a minute later, after his vital signs were confirmed to be healthy, the second injection arrived as scheduled. This time, it was 30 milliliters. Only 60 milliliters of liquid remained in the syringe, the final injection.
Unlike the first shot, which was calm, the second shot caused Tony's body to twitch slightly. Dr. Banner could see Tony's real-time body data, which fluctuated wildly, from the nearby instruments. Tony hunched over, making muffled "ho-ho" sounds. His arms were bound tightly, his fists clenched with extreme force, the skin pale and bloodless, and the bones of his knuckles brittle.
Tony felt as if his body was on fire, as if immersed in magma. The burning pain made him groan, but he knew from his experience in the virtual test of the data dimension that this was what he had to endure to succeed. He could feel his body undergoing a drastic change, just as he had planned!
Ten minutes passed.
Tony's condition gradually stabilized. He looked like he had just been pulled out of the water, drenched in sweat, his wet hair sticking to his forehead in clumps, and he looked utterly disheveled.
No matter who sees Tony at this moment, they can see that his condition is not very good, but his heart is full of joy. He has taken the most critical step and persisted.
Jarvis methodically followed the process steps to inject Tony with the corresponding high-concentration nutrient solution and the longevity potion obtained from Luke. After he recovered, he started the third and final injection.
boom!
His mind seemed to have left his body. Tony finally felt the omnipotence he had once felt in the data dimension in reality. And this time, it wasn't just for a brief moment; as long as he wanted it, it would be permanent!
He felt like he had become the ruler of virtual data and machines! Without any external devices or Jarvis's assistance, he could easily enter every server in reality. Yes, not invade, but enter!
The strictest firewalls and security measures in some places were powerless against him. He was like a ghost living on the internet, the real internet his playground. It wasn't just Jarvis; when necessary, he could even mobilize the computing power of every computer and server within his reach.
He also mastered the ability to control metal, breaking it down into its components and reassembling it according to his own design! He no longer needed to travel extensively to prepare a ready-made Mark suit. Nor did he need to worry about his Mark suit being damaged in battle, its combat effectiveness greatly reduced, leaving him vulnerable to attack.
As long as there is metal material around, and his mind allows, he can regard himself as a mechanical perpetual motion machine. And he no longer needs to worry about the limited space in the Mark suit and not being able to install too many weapons or other equipment.
He can upgrade his Mark Suit at any time during the battle, change the function of his Mark Suit at any time, and create specific corresponding equipment according to the situation at any time, just like Luke on the Chitauri battlefield!
etc?
rough!
Stark couldn't help but curse inwardly. He'd been so engrossed in his research that he'd overlooked such obvious information! This looked like a replica of Luke's technology!
Although Stark knew that there were technical differences between the two, they ended up being the same, and to an uninformed fool, the two looked almost 100% similar.
This instantly brought down Stark's high spirits from the success of the real-life experiment. How could he have overlooked such an obvious problem?
Watching the metal chair beneath Tony instantly transform into a cloud of metallic mist that pounced on him, forming a new Mark suit, Dr. Banner joyfully stepped forward and congratulated Tony, saying, "Congratulations! You've made it, Tony! From now on, you alone will be an intelligent, automated arsenal! The Mark suit series will enter an era of rapid replacement."
"Don't you notice anything wrong?" The helmet was lifted, and the Mark suit on his body turned into a group of black metal particles, and then turned into a black suit, which was worn by Tony. He did not show too much joy for Banner's congratulations, but said sullenly.
"What's wrong? The experiment was successful!" Dr. Banner was puzzled by Tony's abnormal emotions. He spread his hands, looked at Tony helplessly, and asked back.